New Year's Eve Party Food List: How Many Appetizers per Person
If appetizers are the whole menu, plan 10 to 12 pieces per person; before a sit-down dinner, about 6. A 750 ml bottle of champagne pours about six glasses. Here's the chart for 8 to 20 guests, party food ideas and the full shopping list.
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New Year's Eve parties run long, and people graze until midnight and beyond. How much to buy depends on whether you serve a real dinner or let the appetizers carry the night.
Guests eat the most early on: about five pieces each in the first hour, then about three per hour after that. Plan sweets and drinks separately, and don't forget New Year's Day breakfast.
Appetizers and Champagne per Person (Chart for 8, 12 and 20 Guests)
Amounts for adults. If you also serve a hot main, the before-dinner amount is enough.
| Item | Per person | 8 guests | 12 guests | 20 guests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appetizers before dinner | about 6 pieces | about 48 | about 72 | about 120 |
| Appetizers as the meal (2–3 hours) | 10–12 pieces | 80–96 | 120–144 | 200–240 |
| Appetizers for a long party | 12–15 pieces | 96–120 | 144–180 | 240–300 |
| Champagne, midnight toast only | 1 glass | 2 bottles | 2 bottles | 4 bottles |
| Champagne all night | 2–3 glasses | 3–4 bottles | 4–6 bottles | 7–10 bottles |
Champagne math assumes six glasses per 750 ml bottle. Buy a bottle or two extra, plus sparkling cider for kids and drivers.
New Year's Eve Party Shopping Checklist
Cross off what you don't need. Do the big shop on December 29 or 30 and keep the 31st for fresh items.
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Dips 0/5
Sweets 0/3
Drinks 0/6
New Year's Day 0/4
Party supplies 0/5
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How Many Appetizers per Person?
Before a sit-down dinner, about six pieces per person is enough. For a cocktail party without dinner, guides suggest 8 to 12 pieces per person, and 12 to 15 when appetizers are the main meal or the party runs several hours.
Guests eat the most in the first hour, about five pieces each, then about three per hour after that. That's why a long party needs more food than a short one.
How Many Kinds of Appetizers?
For 8 to 10 guests, three kinds are enough; for 14 to 16 guests, four or five. With up to about 45 guests, six different appetizers cover everyone. Mix hot and cold items so you aren't stuck at the oven all night.
How Much Champagne for New Year's Eve?
A 750 ml bottle pours about six glasses. For a midnight toast only, divide the number of guests by six and round up. If champagne flows all night, plan two to three glasses per person.
New Year's Eve Party Food Ideas
These ideas can be prepped ahead, so you aren't in the kitchen at midnight.
Make-ahead appetizers
Pinwheels, deviled eggs, caprese skewers and dips can all be made the afternoon before.
Something warm
Sliders, meatballs kept warm in a slow cooker, and mini quiches straight from the oven.
Fondue or raclette
Everyone cooks at the table, which keeps the host out of the kitchen. Amounts per person are in the fondue and raclette guides.
New Year's Day
In the American South, black-eyed peas and collard greens are the traditional New Year's Day meal. A simple brunch works too.
When to Shop
Do the big shop on December 29 or 30 and keep the 31st for fresh items like shrimp, herbs and bread. Many stores have reduced hours on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.
Share the List: Who Brings What?
Guests often bring a dish or drinks. In the Pauly app you share the shopping list by code or link, and new items show up for everyone in real time. Creating the shared list needs Pauly Pro; your guests join for free.
Sources for these amounts
- What's Cooking America: Appetizer hints: Pieces per person and per hour, number of varieties
- America's Test Kitchen: Creating an appetizer menu: 10 to 12 pieces per person without dinner
- The Takeout: How many appetizers you need: 12 to 15 pieces for long parties
- Vinovest: How many glasses of champagne in a bottle: Six glasses per 750 ml bottle
New Year's Eve Party FAQ
How many appetizers per person with no dinner?
10 to 12 pieces per person for a two- to three-hour party, and 12 to 15 if the party runs longer.
How many appetizers per person before dinner?
About six pieces per person.
How many bottles of champagne for 20 guests?
Four bottles for a midnight toast, or 7 to 10 bottles if champagne is served all night.
How many different appetizers should I make?
Three kinds for 8 to 10 guests, four or five for 14 to 16, and about six for larger groups.
What food is traditional on New Year's Day?
In the American South, black-eyed peas and collard greens are the traditional New Year's Day meal.
Can I put this list on my phone?
Yes. In the free Pauly app you type or dictate the items and it sorts them by store section. No account needed.
Your party list on your phone in 10 seconds
Dictate your groceries into the free Pauly app. It sorts everything by store section, and you check items off as you shop. For iPhone and Android.